A sunroom, as the name implies, is a room specifically designed to allow plenty of sunshine and natural light into your home. It’s a room that you can escape to when you’re craving the scenic views and natural beauty of the great outdoors, without braving the elements and cold temperatures during the winter.
As sunrooms are designed to allow plenty of natural light into the home, they are primarily made of glass. If kept clean and well maintained, sunrooms will not only help with the general aesthetics and ambience of your home, they will also add value to your property.
As is the case with glass windows, however, they are prone to damage, especially overtime. Replacing sunroom windows can be a costly process, and fairly disruptive too. This is why some people choose to repair and replace damaged sunroom windows themselves. If you know what you’re doing, this is a great way to get your sunroom back at its best, while saving a considerable amount of money in the process.
For those looking to repair or replace their sunroom windows, here is a handy DIY guide and cost breakdown.
Clean the Windows
Now, to some people, cleaning a damaged window that either needs to be repaired or replaced may sound like a waste of time. Don’t worry, though, because there is a reason for this, and all will soon become clear.
Before carrying out a repair or replacement of a sunroom window, take the time to clean the window and the surrounding frame. It doesn’t have to be gleaming, but make sure you give it a good clean and make sure you allow it to fully dry before you begin any work. If your sunroom has a glass roof, make sure you clean that too.
One of the main reasons why you should clean the windows is so you can easily spot any signs of damage such as cracks or chips. If the windows were dirty, the dirt could have hidden signs of damage. The cleaner the windows are, the easier it will be to inspect them and diagnose the problem.
Not only that, but working with clean windows means that you’ll be a little cleaner once the job’s done too.
Clean Your Gutters
As well as ensuring the sunroom windows are clean, you should also make sure you clean the guttering. This is more of a maintenance tip, as opposed to a repair tip as clean guttering means your windows will be less prone to damage.
If your gutters become clogged with leaves, dirt, moss, and other debris, it can cause flooding which means that leaks become more likely. Not only that, but with excess water in the winter, any water could freeze which could damage your window’s seals.
When cleaning out your guttering, make sure you don’t lean your ladder against the guttering as it could damage it. Either find a safe alternative spot, or even hire scaffolding to make the job even easier.
Measure the Window
If your sunroom window is chipped, cracked, or broken, it will be much easier, and likely cheaper, to replace it. If you are indeed replacing a sunroom window, measuring it is the first step.
Using a measuring tape, measure the window to determine its exact dimensions. Double check that the tape is where it is supposed to be and that you’re measuring the right parts of the window.
After taking the measurement, go back to the start and take a second measurement, making sure both figures are the same. As the saying goes, ‘measure twice, cut once’. While you aren’t cutting anything in this instance, you get an idea of why that saying is so important.
Once you’re happy you’ve figured out the precise measurements, go ahead and write them down. You can then use them when shopping for a replacement.
Remove the Window Frame, Trim, and Sealant
Next, it’s time to remove the window frame and trim. It may seem daunting, but it’s actually surprisingly easy.
Begin by loosening any screws holding the trim in place. If there are any nails or tacks holding the trim in place, carefully pry them away with a crowbar. Gently tap the trim with a hammer to separate it from its frame.
Now you can begin removing the old sealant. Use a scraper or an old flathead screwdriver. Take your time and be thorough. You want to remove as much of the old caulking and sealant as possible.
Carefully Remove the Glass
Now you can begin removing the old, damaged glass that you’re replacing.
Ideally you will need somebody to help you here as it will make the job much easier and much safer. To loosen the glass, it should be pushed out from the outside. Have somebody stand outstand and gently push it, while the other catches it.
Take your time when removing the glass. Don’t rush it and don’t apply too much force at once. Gently tap it from the bottom, moving your way up until it comes away from where it was originally sat.
Seal and Replace the Window
Once the old window has been successfully removed, you can replace it with the new one.
Begin this process by using a caulking gun to apply a generous amount of sealant around the window frame.
Next, gently lift the glass and insert it into the frame, lifting towards the top. Once in its frame, allow it to adhere to the sealant and leave to dry for at least 10 minutes. Once dry, you can apply the trim and admire your handy work.
Cost Breakdown
Okay, so now that we’ve looked at how you can replace a damaged sunroom window, we now need to look at the costs.
While these figures vary hugely depending on the materials used, the size of the sunroom windows, and so on, they should give you a rough idea of how much you can expect to spend.
To begin with, one single sunroom window will cost, on average, between $150 and $800. This will depend on the type, the design, the glass used, and the size of the glass required.
As for the window frame, prices are currently somewhere between $158 and $598 on average. Window trim averages between $0.50 – $10 per linear foot. More upmarket materials, however, cost more.
Factor in the other miscellaneous materials, tools, and equipment, and you should be looking at somewhere between $800 – $1,400 on average, to replace a sunroom window yourself.